Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Architecture/Builder/Interior Design: Rachael Buffa, Adam Maloney, Mike Merritt, Studio B Interior Design, Atlanta, GA
Landscape Architecture: Mike Parmelee, Joe A. Gale & Associates, Atlanta, GA
Landscaping: Dwayne Grubbs, D&D Unlimited Landscaping, Hartwell, GA
Photography: Lauren Chambers, KLC Studios, Atlanta, GA
A trip back to the 70s would require a time machine, but for this creative husband-and-wife duo, it’s only a 90-minute drive. Owners of the Atlanta design firm Studio B Interior Design, Rachael Buffa and Adam Maloney shared a lifelong dream of building a modern A-frame with a retro vibe. Discovering an enviable waterfront lot on Georgia’s tranquil Lake Hartwell fueled the flame, and before they could stop themselves, they were drafting the initial architecture, designing, and building their dream home on a slice of heaven along the lake’s sprawling 962-mile shoreline.
“The drive from Atlanta to Hartwell is nice once you reach Commerce, GA—beautiful acreages, farms, and some pretty eccentric landowners and farmers,” jokes Maloney. “Our street is interesting in itself—you have the firewood and fresh eggs guy on the corner who is also the proud owner of one of the nicer above-ground pools I’ve seen!”
Imagine
A napkin sketch ultimately became the couple’s legitimate architectural renderings. “After clearing the lot, Rachael and I staked out the foundation and marked plumbing and electrical locations with a local contractor,” notes Maloney. “Soon after, we had a slab with rough mechanics. Then, we hit a roadblock—no one wanted to frame this 36-foot A-frame. Three framing contractors declined, and others priced it so high it wasn’t affordable. Rachael convinced her nephew, who was in construction, to frame this thing—I can’t say he would do it again.”
But the plans changed on the day of framing, when they realized they could maximize their space by adding four-foot knee walls on the fly rather than taking the 36-foot structure down to the slab. They also adamantly wanted slatted siding, so they ripped 1 x 6-inch Hardie siding down to 1 ½-inch strips. “The trim guy still wants to kill me,” laughs Adam. “By the end of the week, we had a vertical structure. But still, Rachael and I asked each other, ‘Are we actually doing this?’”
Night Moves
It turns out they were, and along the way, they incorporated a few skylights, a Corten steel retaining wall, and synthetic turf grass with adjacent slate chips in the walkways. Graders excavated ten-foot-deep foundation walls that were supposed to be half that height for tool storage. “So now, we have a basement Airbnb instead,” Maloney adds.
The landscaping adheres somewhat to a Southwest style with grasses and agave, blending fluently with crepe myrtles, tall green arborvitae, Japanese maples, and Carolina sapphires. The 0.77-acre property also allowed them to carve out spaces for soccer, bocce, and cornhole for family entertainment.
“Halfway down our street, new homes line the waterfront,” Buffa adds. “It’s serene, quiet, lots of stars at night—it’s lovely. In warm weather and sometimes in the winter, we take the boat out for a run while the kids tube and the dogs bark at them. Sometimes, we just float in the water and hang out.”
Paint It Black
Despite all the unexpected construction changes, Buffa and Maloney remained unflappable, as they’ve been prone to do throughout their professional careers. As always, their endurance paid off. The pièce de résistance of their chic waterfront A-frame? A beyond-groovy 12 x 15-foot custom conversation pit that defines the living area.
Black walls stretch to the ceiling, giving the room a chic, moody edge while lending dramatic contrast to the conversation pit’s white pillows and retro-style bubble chandelier suspended above it. “The interiors are very neutral, highlighting creams, blacks, and rust tones,” Buffa notes. “We used light-stained floors and cabinetry throughout, paired with quartzite and marble countertops—all somewhat boho but modern and polished.”
Comfortably Numb
Collaborating with Eternity Modern, the couple custom-crafted the ultimate cloud sofa from the brand’s Tufted Time series. “We wanted a comfy yet fitted seating area with a tight back instead of loose cushions,” notes Buffa. “It has clean lines and doesn’t look like a playroom.”
Inspired by Buffa’s penchant for the 1970s, the pit has since evolved into the couple’s signature style, and plans are underway to incorporate it into their next Atlanta loft project. “This is definitely our favorite feature—movie time never ends at this house,” says Maloney. “Everyone gets in, stays in, and falls asleep here almost every night.” With five kids between them, Buffa and Maloney attest they’ve packed the pit with up to 14 family members and guests for movie nights.
Aja
Quirky conversation-worthy accents abound throughout the couple’s abode, including a pair of sumo-wrestler paintings by Barcelona artist Valeria Pesce Murroni.
The living room fireplace runs on biofuel produced from renewable biological sources, including plants and algae. It provides just enough heat without the soot of a wood-burning fire. “It’s atomic in style—a suspended cast iron flying saucer,” says Maloney. “For a more traditional campfire experience, we hang out at the fire pit right outside.”
Stairway to Heaven
A black spiral staircase to the upstairs loft creates a slinky sculptural focal point delineating the kitchen and living area. A cylindrical exhaust fan over the island echoes the sleek aesthetic, and skylights positioned along the upper wall keep the natural light flowing inward. An adjacent breakfast room, open to the living area, includes an upholstered bench along the wall, making it a favorite hang for family gatherings.
Bohemian Rhapsody
A coveted loft space with built-in bunks and plenty of music gear makes a worthy oasis when the kids want to escape and rock out. Glass balcony railings and fantastic views keep them visually connected to the rest of the house.
Double Vision
Buffa conceptualized the two main floor bedrooms with identical palettes yet slightly different furnishings. Bold sculptural pieces from Noir, one of the couple’s favorite vendors, impeccably befit the vibe. Identical private bathrooms feature an elegant mix of finishes, textures, and Ferguson plumbing fixtures.
Dream Weaver
The loft-level primary bedroom exudes a cool, ethereal vibe, with the bed and nightstands floating in front of the window. Bathed in white with black accents, the luxurious bathroom, featuring a walk-in shower and double vanities, emanates a spa-like serenity. “Our master cabinet maker, Jason Hornbuckle, and I balanced full-size cabinetry on our shoulders and climbed a 12-foot ladder to get to the primary bedroom,” Maloney recalls, somewhat reluctantly.
Summer Breeze
Framed with glass railings, the back patio extends the home’s sleek 1970s aesthetic outside with luxe outdoor furnishings from Bernhardt. Massive outdoor umbrellas canopy the seating areas, ensuring the party continues in all kinds of weather.
Into the Mystic
Tranquility takes over every time the couple arrives at their A-frame haven. After the drive, even the family dog finds a sweet spot in the sun. “Once off the interstate, we feel like we’re in the middle of nowhere,” says Maloney. “We try to come every couple of weeks, and we love spending Thanksgiving and Christmas here. Our family loves this crazy house—all 14 of them.”
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